Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has drawn a red line in his standoff with China, warning Beijing that any deaths of Philippine soldiers by Beijing’s water cannons would be considered an “act of war”, escalating tensions and raising fears the United States could be drawn into a conflict in the South China Sea.
The Philippine leader was responding to a hypothetical question at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Security Summit in Singapore, attended by defense chiefs from around the world, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Manila has expressed frustration over Chinese patrol boats firing water cannons at Philippine ships and supply vessels.
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A China Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine Navy chartered vessel. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
“If a deliberate act kills Filipinos, not just military personnel but Filipino citizens… I believe that comes very close to what we would define as an act of war and therefore we will respond accordingly. And I believe our treaty partners are held to the same standard,” President Marcos told the BBC.
A treaty with the Philippines obligates the United States to come to its defense if attacked, and China and the Philippines have recently clashed over territory in the region.
Several Filipinos have been injured in the recent clashes, but no one has been killed so far.
“When we get to that point, we’ve definitely crossed the Rubicon. Is it a red line? It definitely is a red line,” Marcos said.
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A screenshot of a video provided by the Philippine military shows a Chinese coast guard vessel using a water cannon on May 4 at the Philippine supply ship Unayzah as it approaches Second Thomas Reef (locally known as Ayungin Shoal) in disputed waters of the South China Sea on March 23, 2024. (Philippine Military via Associated Press)
Speaking at the meeting, Austin allayed concerns that conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza were hindering U.S. security efforts in the region and called for a renewed focus on the Chinese threat in the Asia-Pacific. Austin also met Chinese Foreign Minister Dong Jun on Friday, seeking to ease frictions ranging from Taiwan to Chinese military activity in the South China Sea.
“Despite these historic conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific remains our priority operating area,” Austin said in his speech. “Let me be clear: If Asia is not safe, then America is not safe. That is why the United States has a long-standing presence in the region.”
Austin stressed the importance of alliances in the region and called for peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue rather than coercion or conflict.
He said the harassment the Philippines faces is “simply put, dangerous.”
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. commitment to the treaty with the Philippines was “ironclad.” (REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura)
Austin said the U.S. commitment to the treaty with the Philippines was “ironclad,” but declined to speculate on how the U.S. might respond if Manila’s red lines were crossed.
“We know that things can happen at sea and in the air,” Austin said, “but our goal is to make sure things don’t get unnecessarily out of control.”
“In my view, war or combat with China is neither imminent nor inevitable.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
